Recruitment Expense. The increase in our recruitment expense by 1.9% to S$3.4 million (US$2.5 million) from S$3.3 million for the same period of 2021 is not material in absolute terms.
Transport and Travelling Expense. Our transport and travelling expense increased by 39.9% to S$0.7 million (US$0.5 million) from S$0.5 million for the same period of 2021 mainly due to increased operational and business development travel.
Telecommunication and Technology Expense. Our telecommunication and technology expense increased by 31.2% to S$3.3 million (US$2.4 million) from S$2.5 million for the same period of 2021 primarily due to an increase in software subscription and outsourced IT services.
Interest Expense. Our interest expense decreased by 72.0% to S$0.5 million (US$0.4 million) from S$2.0 million for the same period of 2021 primarily due to reduced bank borrowings.
Other Operating Expense. Our other operating expense increased by 271.7%% to S$9.5 million (US$7.0 million) from S$2.5 million for the same period of 2021 primarily due to foreign exchange losses of S$6.0 million caused by the weakening of the United States Dollar in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Share of Profit from an Associate. Our share of profit from an associate was insignificant for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Interest Income. Our interest income increased by 468.1% to S$1.4 million (US$1.1 million) from S$0.3 million for the same period of 2021 primarily due to higher placements of excess liquid funds in interest earning deposit.
Other Operating Income. Our other operating income decreased by 84.5% to S$0.4 million (US$0.3 million) for the same period of 2021 primarily due to lower government grants received by our Singapore subsidiaries.
Profit Before Income Tax. As a result of the foregoing, our profit before income tax decreased by 11.9% to S$33.0 million (US$24.5 million) from S$37.4 million for the corresponding period of 2021.
Income Tax Expenses. Our income tax expenses decreased by 7.0% to S$8.0 million (US$5.9 million) from S$8.6 million for the same period of 2021 primarily due to the recognition of a previously unrecognized deferred tax asset, and partially offset by higher taxes incurred by our Malaysia subsidiary due to the imposition of a one-off “prosperity tax” enacted by the local government for fiscal 2022 for the Malaysian operations and its higher taxable earnings and the non-availability of the income tax incentive by the Philippines unit as the unit did not meet the work from home threshold requirement imposed by the local fiscal incentive administrative body. The income tax incentive was reinstated to the Philippines unit after it met the work from home threshold requirements during the fourth quarter of 2022.
Profit for the Period. As a result of the foregoing, our profit for the period decreased by 13.3% to S$25.0 million (US$18.6 million) from S$28.8 million for the same period of 2021.
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations. Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations recognized in other comprehensive income increased by 472.9% to a loss of S$16.2 million (US$12.0 million) from S$2.8 million for the same period of 2021 primarily due to the strengthening of the Singapore Dollar against the functional currencies of the foreign operations.
Total Comprehensive Income for the Period. As a result of the foregoing, our total comprehensive income for the period decreased by 62.9% to S$9.8 million (US$7.3 million) from S$26.3 million for the same period of 2021.
Share Repurchase Program
On March 14, 2022, we announced that the board of directors had approved a US$30.0 million share repurchase program. The share repurchase program commenced on March 14, 2022. The repurchase program has no expiration date and may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time without prior notice. We expect to fund repurchases under this program with our existing cash balance.
Our proposed repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, in block trades, and/or through other legally permissible means, depending on market conditions and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations and its insider trading policy. Our board of directors will review the share repurchase program periodically and may authorize adjustment of its terms and size. We did not make any repurchase of ADSs in the year ended December 31, 2021.